Noemi Bocchi wins Ballando con le Stelle premiere after bonus points

Aurora Ramazzotti and Nikita Perotti secured the opening-night lead on Ballando con le Stelle with 43 points, launching the 21st edition of the Rai 1 dance competition on October 4, 2026. The premiere extended well into the early morning hours, featuring a newly structured jury and a late-night scoring shift that ultimately propelled Noemi Bocchi to a first-place victory with 58 points after accounting for a bonus treasure chest.

Aurora Ramazzotti takes the opening lead before midnight scoring shifts

Ramazzotti and her professional partner Perotti delivered a high-tempo jive to Tintarella di luna, earning praise from the judging panel for their technical precision and rhythm.

The competition’s format incorporated a 48-point treasure chest won by guest dancer Federica Sciarelli and Chiquito following a merengue performance. Simona Ventura allocated 16 points of the bonus to Eugenio Finardi, Rossella Erra distributed 16 points to Noemi Bocchi, and the remaining 16 points went to Monica Guerritore. That distribution altered the final standings, lifting Bocchi from 42 points to 58 points and placing her at the top of the final classification for the evening.

Barbara D’Urso joins a strict jury as late-night scheduling draws critique

The premiere introduced a revamped judging panel seated alongside head judge Carolyn Smith, Ivan Zazzaroni, and Guillermo Mariotto. New additions Barbara D’Urso and Alberto Matano joined the desk, while Francesca Fialdini and Simona Ventura managed portions of the bonus points.

Ballando con le stelle è un fenomeno geologico di una tv che va in direzione ostinata e contraria rispetto a qualunque altro mezzo moderno: mentre tutto si accorcia e diventa breve; qui tutto si allunga e si dilata.

Renato Franco, Corriere della Sera

Corriere della Sera noted that Guillermo Mariotto adopted a subdued demeanor compared to previous seasons, while Noemi Bocchi addressed media scrutiny surrounding her personal life during her midnight appearance on the floor. Bocchi performed a samba to Serenata with Giovanni Pernice, stating that she aimed to establish her own identity beyond her relationship, though post-dance discussions in the studio centered largely on Francesco Totti.

Contender pairings advance toward Saturday night broadcast

The 21st season opened with 13 celebrity couples introduced by host Milly Carlucci, following the initial announcement of Alessandro Matri on August 8, 2026. Simone Di Pasquale assumed the role of roving reporter in the stars’ lounge in the absence of Paolo Belli, while Rossella Erra, Sara Di Vaira, and Matteo Addino oversaw the public tribune scoring. Competitors such as Jimmy Ghione and Anastasia Kuzmina advanced past the opening round without elimination, as the premiere focused entirely on establishing the baseline leaderboard across the expanded broadcast window.